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geekhack Community => Keyboards => Topic started by: sirhc on Thu, 26 June 2008, 16:15:38

Title: HHKB Pro 2 Considerations
Post by: sirhc on Thu, 26 June 2008, 16:15:38

Hi everyone,

I'm new, so if I'm asking questions that have been raised before, please forgive me yep. I did a few searches already before asking, so ya.

1:
From what I understand, the Pro 2 only has one function key on the right (while the Lite 2 has 2 function keys). Is this limiting functionality? Or is it fine? I'm referring to the Fn key, by the way.

2:
Are the keys shaped in a way that you can rearrange them easily?
I read about the angle/contour/curvature on their website, but I'm still not sure. I'm using a DVORAK layout and I like it. Of course, if I get keys with blank keycaps, it wouldn't matter, would it? Still, I'm curious.

3:
Using another keyboard layout doesn't affect function keys functionality right?
Function keys are hardware level? Not at software keyboard layout level? Meaning the functions occur when I press the Fn key.

4:
I read HHKB cleaning thread. Is it really easy to clean the keyboard? Is there a tutorial here or is it just as simple as a few screws and off you go?

5:
Also, about the cleaning, the black color fades away? What about the white keyboard, anyone has experience the white colour turning yellowish?
Or what's the maintenance practice to keep this from happening?

6:
How did you get your keyboard? I did a few searches and came up with:
http://www.geekstuff4u.com/product_info.php?language=en¤cy=USD&products_id=346
http://benippon.com/shop/product_info.php?products_id=11464

I'm located in Singapore, Asia. (though I'm in USA now for vacation..) So technically I should have more choices right? Haha. Any others like me?

I'm considering the Happy Hacking Keyboard Pro 2 because of the feel. I read a lot about the keyboard feel being very comfortable. Plus the layout does make sense, though I'm not sure what to make of the fact that it only has one Fn key.

I'm a programmer on Mac and I use TextMate, QuickSilver. Any comments on using the keyboard with these? I could also run another thread for it.

Title: HHKB Pro 2 Considerations
Post by: xyzzy on Thu, 26 June 2008, 17:19:15

Quote from: sirhc;5962

How did you get your keyboard? I did a few searches and came up with:
http://www.geekstuff4u.com/product_info.php?language=en¤cy=USD&products_id=346
http://benippon.com/shop/product_info.php?products_id=11464

I'm located in Singapore, Asia. (though I'm in USA now for vacation..) So technically I should have more choices right? Haha. Any others like me?

There was a guy from Singapore trying to sell his HHKB (http://forums.vr-zone.com/showthread.php?t=282749) a couple of weeks ago. You could try to contact him and if he hasn't sold it yet, ask if he's willing to show it to you once you're back home ;)

Title: HHKB Pro 2 Considerations
Post by: Korbin on Thu, 26 June 2008, 17:24:38

Quote from: sirhc;5962

Hi everyone,

I'm new, so if I'm asking questions that have been raised before, please forgive me yep. I did a few searches already before asking, so ya.

1:
From what I understand, the Pro 2 only has one function key on the right (while the Lite 2 has 2 function keys). Is this limiting functionality? Or is it fine? I'm referring to the Fn key, by the way.

2:
Are the keys shaped in a way that you can rearrange them easily?
I read about the angle/contour/curvature on their website, but I'm still not sure. I'm using a DVORAK layout and I like it. Of course, if I get keys with blank keycaps, it wouldn't matter, would it? Still, I'm curious.

3:
Using another keyboard layout doesn't affect function keys functionality right?
Function keys are hardware level? Not at software keyboard layout level? Meaning the functions occur when I press the Fn key.

4:
I read HHKB cleaning thread. Is it really easy to clean the keyboard? Is there a tutorial here or is it just as simple as a few screws and off you go?

5:
Also, about the cleaning, the black color fades away? What about the white keyboard, anyone has experience the white colour turning yellowish?
Or what's the maintenance practice to keep this from happening?

6:
How did you get your keyboard? I did a few searches and came up with:
http://www.geekstuff4u.com/product_info.php?language=en¤cy=USD&products_id=346
http://benippon.com/shop/product_info.php?products_id=11464

I'm located in Singapore, Asia. (though I'm in USA now for vacation..) So technically I should have more choices right? Haha. Any others like me?

I'm considering the Happy Hacking Keyboard Pro 2 because of the feel. I read a lot about the keyboard feel being very comfortable. Plus the layout does make sense, though I'm not sure what to make of the fact that it only has one Fn key.

I'm a programmer on Mac and I use TextMate, QuickSilver. Any comments on using the keyboard with these? I could also run another thread for it.

1. Not quite true. You modify your dip switches to set the key on the left side of the space bar as fn key. I personally use this more than the one on the right hand side.

2. I don't think it will matter, but then again. I personally use the qwerty layout.

3. Yes, they are hardware level. That's what the dip switches allow you to change.

4. IMav mentioned you can use a simple key cap puller or 2 paper clips (bent to pull the edges of the keycaps) to pull the keycaps off and clean. Personally, I use a peripheral solution to wipe the key caps down and a can of compressed air to clean in between the keys.

5. I have both, but I personally have not had either of them long enough to see any kind of wear on them and I have used both of them everyday for the last 4 months.

6. I bought both of my through GeekStuff4u.

If you are a developer I think you will LOVE the key layout. Mainly, because we spend so much of our keystrokes moving around the code (using home, end, up and down arrows etc.)

Title: HHKB Pro 2 Considerations
Post by: sirhc on Thu, 26 June 2008, 17:26:49

WOW.. xyzzy Thanks for the quick reply! That will take away a few questions I guess. Though I guess I won't have a chance to have the white keyboard or choose to have no keycaps. :|
I just PMed that guy.

Thanks Korbin. :) Are you a mac user, or you develop on another platform? I found the Command key to be rather indispensable. If I changed that to a Fn key.. I'm not sure whether it would work out well. :S
Oh. I see that the Alt key can be changed to the Command key as well. That's cool. Now I see that the dip switches are cool to have. Guess that's one to thing to check for whether it's working.

Anything to check for when one buys this keyboard second hand (actually it probably applies first hand too) ?

Title: HHKB Pro 2 Considerations
Post by: lowpoly on Fri, 27 June 2008, 02:01:09

2. Different rows have differently shaped caps.

5. Black key caps are painted black. When the matte paint wears away, the more shiny plastic will come through.

6. I bought through crescent-shop.com and would do that again.

Title: HHKB Pro 2 Considerations
Post by: xsphat on Fri, 27 June 2008, 03:27:18

You aren't going to find one second hand. By an act of god I saw mine on eBay and snagged it for 200 American. I was lucky - that was over a year ago and there has only been one other up for auction, iMav's.

Fact of the matter is you're gonna love the HHKB Pro 2, everyone here that has one does. And if you use Mac, it's even better because if you run it in Lite mode with the dip switches, the volume controls and so does the power function.

Title: HHKB Pro 2 Considerations
Post by: xsphat on Fri, 27 June 2008, 03:34:08

I used to use Quicksilver on Tiger, but now Spotlight just rocks. Anyway, at work I use it. I have it set up so a quick tap of the option key  brings up the bezel. It works really well.

And I just switched my computer to Dvorak (and quickly back again) and the shortcuts are all the same as in qwerty, which is what I use.

Title: HHKB Pro 2 Considerations
Post by: sirhc on Fri, 27 June 2008, 11:55:43

Thanks a lot xsphat. :) I PMed the guy that xyzzy mentioned. He hasn't responded. I hope I'm really lucky. He's even selling it at usd195.. Cos there hasn't been any takers in Singapore. I hope it isn't already sold.

Title: HHKB Pro 2 Considerations
Post by: Freyth on Fri, 27 June 2008, 12:51:08

Just wanted to let you know that I'm the same guy in that forum and still am selling that keyboard.

Title: HHKB Pro 2 Considerations
Post by: Bluemercury on Fri, 27 June 2008, 20:51:53

Hi all, been busy. Anyway i think im going to buy this keyboard.....not sure if either black with blank keys or lettered ones.

Is the crescent shop the best option?

Title: HHKB Pro 2 Considerations
Post by: Korbin on Fri, 27 June 2008, 23:56:49

Quote from: Bluemercury;6022

Hi all, been busy. Anyway i think im going to buy this keyboard.....not sure if either black with blank keys or lettered ones.

Is the crescent shop the best option?

I have used crescent shop myself, but geekstuff4u and benippon are both excellent choices.

Title: HHKB Pro 2 Considerations
Post by: sirhc on Sat, 28 June 2008, 00:30:41

Oh cool another new HHKB user! :) I can't wait to use it! :D

Title: HHKB Pro 2 Considerations
Post by: sashomasho on Sat, 28 June 2008, 01:46:48

Quote from: Bluemercury;6022

Hi all, been busy. Anyway i think im going to buy this keyboard.....not sure if either black with blank keys or lettered ones.

Is the crescent shop the best option?

I had to pay taxes to the customs (around 23% from $250 + shipping to europe) for my hhkb, the guy at crescent-shop didn't want to put a lower value on the package (not that I tried really hard), and that was the reason why I took my next keyboard -  filco from benippon - it was slightly more expensive but they agreed and put a lower price and my keyboard  didn't go through the customs at all, so you may check what are the customs rules in portugal (I suppose the EU has somewhat identical laws for all countries)... another thing I liked in benippon is that if you are  involved somehow in any open source project they will make another 3% discount, I like the fact that they support the free software :)

Title: HHKB Pro 2 Considerations
Post by: Bluemercury on Sat, 28 June 2008, 11:06:50

Well the idea is to avoind customs of course, anyway what about warranty?

Title: HHKB Pro 2 Considerations
Post by: sashomasho on Sun, 29 June 2008, 03:13:12

Quote from: Bluemercury;6034

Well the idea is to avoind customs of course, anyway what about warranty?

product warranty or package insurance? I think benippon have good warranty policy, but if you are asking about the package insurance - then it's limit to what is marked on the label of the package (something slightly less than $100 keeps the customs quiet), so it's your decision - EMS have quite good tracking system and package loss is unlikely to happen.

Title: HHKB Pro 2 Considerations
Post by: xsphat on Sun, 29 June 2008, 03:23:33

I'll buy from BeNippon again. The only thing that creeps me out about the site is that they sell used "idol photobooks" - yuck!

Title: HHKB Pro 2 Considerations
Post by: Bluemercury on Mon, 30 June 2008, 05:33:23

Benippon, whats with those prices:


   
Happy Hacking Keyboard Professional 2 No symbols Black (PD-KB400BN)Fujitsu
Attention : Clavier USB sans les inscriptions sur les touches ! 60 touches (QWERTY) 294x39.9x110mm Noir
   
25280¥
161.78€
   
   
Happy Hacking Keyboard Professional 2 No symbols White (PD-KB400WN)Fujitsu
Attention : Clavier USB sans les inscriptions sur les touches ! 60 touches (QWERTY) 294x39.9x110mm Blanc
   
25810¥
165.17€
   

Happy Hacking Keyboard Professional 2 English White (PD-KB400W) Happy Hacking Keyboard Professional 2 English White (PD-KB400W)
      
26060¥
166.77€
   

Happy Hacking Keyboard Professional 2 English Black (PD-KB400B) Happy Hacking Keyboard Professional 2 English Black (PD-KB400B)
   
23430¥
149.94€



The black one with key symbols is cheaper than the one without, yet the white version is the opposite........also they're sure cheaper than the geekstuff4u which all costs 189.00€.....I think i might buy from benippon and with no keys.
Which color do you guys prefer?i think i might be going for black.

Title: HHKB Pro 2 Considerations
Post by: iMav on Mon, 30 June 2008, 07:51:10

Quote from: Bluemercury

Which color do you guys prefer?i think i might be going for black.

I prefer this color:

(http://www.uhhh.org/~lherzog/blog-images/hhkb-1-2-12.jpg) (http://www.uhhh.org/~lherzog/blog-images/hhkb-1-2-12-big.jpg)

:)

Title: HHKB Pro 2 Considerations
Post by: Bluemercury on Mon, 30 June 2008, 08:07:44

Quote from: iMav;6070

I prefer this color:

Show Image

(http://www.uhhh.org/~lherzog/blog-images/hhkb-1-2-12.jpg) (http://www.uhhh.org/~lherzog/blog-images/hhkb-1-2-12-big.jpg)

:)

Nice. Where do you get this?

Title: HHKB Pro 2 Considerations
Post by: iMav on Mon, 30 June 2008, 09:21:38

Quote from: Bluemercury;6071

Nice. Where do you get this?

Check it (http://geekhack.org/showthread.php?t=242).

Title: HHKB Pro 2 Considerations
Post by: Bluemercury on Mon, 30 June 2008, 09:45:45

Quote from: iMav;6074

Check it (http://geekhack.org/showthread.php?t=242).

eheh, you also had the HHKP1, what was the difference between the two?

Title: HHKB Pro 2 Considerations
Post by: iMav on Mon, 30 June 2008, 09:50:37

Quote from: Bluemercury;6076

eheh, you also had the HHKP1, what was the difference between the two?

The HHKB Pro 2 has a built-in USB hub.  That's the only diff.

Title: HHKB Pro 2 Considerations
Post by: Bluemercury on Mon, 30 June 2008, 10:14:17

Quote from: iMav;6077

The HHKB Pro 2 has a built-in USB hub.  That's the only diff.

Im considering the black version without key symbols since i use th euro layout.....i wonder how that works out....

Title: HHKB Pro 2 Considerations
Post by: xsphat on Mon, 30 June 2008, 10:47:09

I like printed black one the most (that's why I bought it). I touch type and recently stopped watching the keys, so blank ones would suit me fine, but I do a lot of editing and that is way easier if I don't have to go to the home row to find the letter I need.

And BTW, my accuracy and speed both went up significantly since I quit key-watching. I think it was a safety mechanism more than anything.

Title: HHKB Pro 2 Considerations
Post by: lowpoly on Mon, 30 June 2008, 10:49:28

hhkb pro2: blank or not? (http://geekhack.org/showthread.php?t=410)

I got the blank and never had any problems.

Title: HHKB Pro 2 Considerations
Post by: Bluemercury on Mon, 30 June 2008, 17:56:53

Black one with blank keys it is.....:P

Title: HHKB Pro 2 Considerations
Post by: iMav on Mon, 30 June 2008, 18:10:04

Quote from: Bluemercury;6090

Black one with blank keys it is.....:P

I think the white one would look slicker if it was all white and didn't have the grey keys.

The black is cooler, if for no other reason, because of the uniformity of the keys (all black).  ;)

Title: HHKB Pro 2 Considerations
Post by: xsphat on Mon, 30 June 2008, 18:17:06

I like the old school look of the grey and ivory keys.

Title: HHKB Pro 2 Considerations
Post by: iMav on Mon, 30 June 2008, 19:02:48

Quote from: xsphat;6092

I like the old school look of the grey and ivory keys.

And yet you own a uniformly black one.  ;)

Title: HHKB Pro 2 Considerations
Post by: xsphat on Mon, 30 June 2008, 19:10:55

The printed white ones don't look this cool.

Title: HHKB Pro 2 Considerations
Post by: sirhc on Tue, 01 July 2008, 00:33:16

maybe when i have the money i'll get another one to create HHKB checkers.. :S Hehee..

Title: HHKB Pro 2 Considerations
Post by: Bluemercury on Tue, 01 July 2008, 15:14:52

Quote from: iMav;6095

And yet you own a uniformly black one.  ;)

That one you mounted has more than 2 colors, which color was the HHKP1???

Title: HHKB Pro 2 Considerations
Post by: Bluemercury on Wed, 02 July 2008, 08:20:23

Are there any considerations regarding using this on an Euro computer?

Title: HHKB Pro 2 Considerations
Post by: lowpoly on Wed, 02 July 2008, 08:55:26

I have an autohotkey script to move some of the special characters around.

I would have needed one more key to have room for all the characters in an ISO layout. I left away the key with the two accents as I never write in French nor do any mysql programming.

The Cherry G84-4100xxxDE for ex. has the ^°-key as a Fn-key on the 1!-key.

Title: HHKB Pro 2 Considerations
Post by: Bluemercury on Wed, 02 July 2008, 09:17:24

Quote from: sofa king;6187

I have an autohotkey script to move some of the special characters around.

I would have needed one more key to have room for all the characters in an ISO layout. I left away the key with the two accents as I never write in French nor do any mysql programming.

The Cherry G84-4100xxxDE for ex. has the ^°-key as a Fn-key on the 1!-key.

If i set this for the Portuguese layout, i assume i will loose the <> key.....Also what type of connector does this come with? usb?ps/2?

Title: HHKB Pro 2 Considerations
Post by: lowpoly on Wed, 02 July 2008, 09:30:03

I think I lost the <>-key as well. At least that's the one I put on the accent key.